Good or bad algae?

[JumperAlex]

I know as my tank progresses it will have good algae. This tank has been set up since December and the parameters are: Ph 8.2, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates <10 and salinity 1.022/1.023. Long story short I would like to try some zoanthids and I want to make sure that everything growing on my LR (especially the red algae on the bottom center) is okay. Any advice on the tank is welcome. I know I will need to get rid of the 2 CC starfish.

90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Mandarin dragonet x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[Reefing Madness]

I can't really tell what that is. From my point of view I have this for you, possible Cotton Candy Algae, possible Red Coralline, possible cyano. So, are you able to just swish it away with the wave of your hand? Is it hairy? Are you able to scrape it away using your finger nail?

 

[JumperAlex]

It won't go away with a wave of my hand. It was kind of difficult but I was able to scrape a tiny bit f it away with my finger nail.


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Mandarin dragonet x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[revhtree]

I can't see what you are talking about to be honest. Is it hard like coarlline algae?

 

[Liquid360]

Based on your tanks age and you being able to "scrape" it off with your mail I'd be pretty confident in saying its red coralline algae, aka good. Don't see any reason you couldn't add zoas and polys.

 

[JumperAlex]

Good to hear, what other colors can coralline algae be? Until today I thought it could only be purple.


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Mandarin dragonet x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[Liquid360]

Depending on the lighting it can be red to purple to pink and all things in the middle of that color range.

 

[Liquid360]

Here in mine u can see all various colors of coralline

 

[Reefing Madness]

Red, Pink, Purlple and Green.

 

[JumperAlex]

One other question. From what I've read zoas would be the best beginner coral for someone like myself that has never tried corals before. Is this what you would suggest as well? And with the pictures you've seen f my tank what would be the best placement for tem?


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Mandarin dragonet x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[Liquid360]

You've got plenty of room in there on your sandbed. I'd try some LPS/Zoas/polys simply placed on the sand. I've got scolys/gorgonians/war coral/zoas/etc... Sitting on the sand...

 

[Liquid360]

How old is the tank and whats your lighting?

 

[Salty heart]

my zoas have finally started to grow onto the rock!! i have mine towards the bottom but i was told that if u put them towards the top they will get bigger in size--i believe they like the dirtier water so make sure ur skimmer isnt too big--bout killed all my corals with a huge reef octopus skimmer--went back to the small skimmer and all my guys are doing great now!!!

 

[JumperAlex]

It's about 7 months old and the lighting is a 4 x 48'' HOT5. I've got a CAD lights Tia 1220 protein skimmer and a media reactor with matrix in it. All have been running since day 1.


90g FOWLR
Foxface lo x 1
Ocerllaris clown x2
Blue spotted Toby puffer x1
Tomini tang x1
Flame hawk x1
Mandarin dragonet x1
Red legged hermit crab x 5-10
Snails x 5
Short spine urchin (red) x 1
Conch x 1
Chocolate chip starfish x 2

 

[Salty heart]

oh and that red algae on your rocks is corraline!!! very good algae!!!! u want that to cover all your rocks--and yes it can come in red,pink,purple and green!